by Mia Pride
“Mama, our prayers are answered.” To his surprise, Rose briefly clasped his forearm and then withdrew. “Captain Reyson, might I hire you to take us home, to Charles Town, in His Majesty’s Province of Carolina? I can pay you well.”
“I am not a transport service, Miss Armistead, though I might be persuaded.” In truth, the idea appealed to him, because a lot could happen in the close confines of his brigantine, and he needed the money, but there was another reason that swayed his position. If he sailed north, he could launch a surprise attack, given most pirates embarked from the south, on a galleon loaded with gold, bearing east from the Spanish Main. “First, I would know how you arrived in Port Royal, because you do not belong here. And if I were to deliver you home, what would you pay me?”
“Ours is a sad tale, Captain Reyson.” With her hand, she shielded her face, and he admired her flawless skin of pure ivory. “My family journeyed to Alicante, so my father could open new trade relationships for Charles Town. During our stay, he became ill with an infectious fever, which later struck my elder brother, and both perished.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” Given the vast markets exchanged in the Spanish port city, he concluded her family must possess great wealth, which further stimulated his interest. “So, what brought you here?”
“Although my father arranged return passage, we missed the departure, due to his failing condition, and I was left to secure alternative travel for myself, my mother, and my younger brother, after burying our loved ones, in Spain. On the recommendation of an acquaintance, we hired Captain Donat.” With a trembling chin, and a furrowed brow, she frowned. “After paying full fare, for three passengers, we set sail aboard the Sea Serpent. A sennight into the voyage, we discovered the captain carried human cargo, which we do not support, so he put us off in Port Royal, while he conducted business, and refused to refund any portion of our money. Thus, we are at your mercy, and I beg you to consider my request.”
“What did Donat charge to deliver you from Alicante to Charles Town?” Turner mulled the possibilities and associated cost. Since he missed his last mark, due to foul weather, he had to find something to satisfy his crew’s thirst for booty. “And what sort of accommodations do you require, because options are limited aboard the Malevolent.”
“We will take whatever you provide and be glad of it, Captain Reyson.” Rose reached for her mother’s hand. “And we paid five pounds sterling, each, for myself and for my mother, and two pounds and ten shillings for Clinton, as is the usual rate, or so I am told. However, I am unwilling to pay more than half, up front, given Captain Donat took advantage of us, so I shall remit the remainder of our fare upon our arrival in Charles Town.”
“You are a shrewd negotiator, Miss Armistead.” As much as he hated to admit it, she gained a measure of respect, because she did not cower in the face of adversity. Where most women would cry and yield to hysterics, in similar circumstances, Rose simply sought another course of action, which included the none-too-smart but audacious invasion of a whorehouse rife with cutthroats and pirates. “Allow me to suggest the Port Royal Inn, where you can take rooms for the night and enjoy a decent meal. In the morning, meet me at the docks.”
“Does that mean you will help us?” Given her smile, there was little he would not do for her, and he promised to weigh anchor in her, no doubt, uncharted territory, before the journey’s end. “You will take us home?”
Inclining his head, he winked. “Miss Armistead, you got yourself a ship.”
* * *
It was early in the morning, when Rose Armistead eased from the bed she shared with her mother and tiptoed across the room. At the washstand, she filled the basin and completed a hasty but thorough toilette. After brushing the tangles from her hair, she arranged her coiffure; in a style of her own preference, a habit she rather enjoyed, in the absence of a lady’s maid.
After lifting the lid to her trunk, she sifted through the contents, in search of serviceable attire. Lamenting the lack of mourning garb, given she did not anticipate the deaths of her father and her brother, she selected a brocade mantua of red and gold, with a low waist and elbow-length sleeves gathered in puffs, because she wanted to look her best for the captain.
Just as quick, she crushed the thought, because Captain Reyson mattered not.
With one last glimpse in the long mirror, she nodded at no one, turned, and walked to the opposite side of the bed. Sitting at the edge of the mattress, she gave her mother a gentle nudge.
“Mama, you must wake and prepare yourself, because we cannot afford to miss our departure, as it is doubtful we can secure alternative travel arrangements.” When Rose’s efforts garnered naught but a brief interruption in the somewhat startling snoring, she tried again. “Mama, please, you need to dress and meet me in Clinton’s room, where I have arranged for a meal to be delivered, that we might break our fast, before we adjourn to the docks and cast off.”
“I hear you, Rose.” Mama rolled to the side and sat upright. “See to your brother, and I shall take care of myself.”
“All right.” Rose stood and assisted her mother. “There is water in the pitcher, and I set two clean towels on the table. Now I shall check on Clinton.”
As Mama groaned and rubbed the small of her back, Rose smiled and made for the door. In the hall, she strolled to the next chamber and knocked on the oak panel.
“It is open,” Clinton replied.
Grasping the wrought iron ring, she pushed hard and entered. “Hello.”
“Good morning, sister.” Sitting at a table, her little brother hefted a pot of tea. “Are you hungry?”
“Upon my word, but the food arrived early, as I requested a late service to accommodate Mama.” Rose pulled out a chair, sat, and positioned two cups. “Here, let me do that, as you are still weak.”
“I am fine.” He compressed his lips. “Given I am the man in the family, I can no longer convalesce as an innocent babe, and I am not comfortable with the situation. Despite your claims, I do not believe Captain Reyson is an honorable man, and I would secure alternative passage, home.”
“Dearest, while I am not happy with our current circumstances, as I miss Papa and Ephraim, we have no choice.” After lifting the lids on various dishes, she paused. “But there is no other way, and we have no option that I can identify. What would you have me do? We could be trapped here, for months, waiting for another ship to dock, only to be confronted with a worse predicament. We have delayed enough, and our money dwindles, even now. For good or ill, we must trust Captain Reyson to deliver us, safe and sound, to Charles Town.” She huffed a breath in frustration, as she surveyed the fare. “What is all this, and should we wait for Mama?”
“The food will be cold, by the time she appears, so I say we eat.” With a large wood spoon, he dished a healthy portion of a creamy substance into a bowl. “This is what the server called green banana porridge, which he recommended.” Clinton pointed to another plate. “That is ackee, which is a native fruit, and it is often taken with saltfish, which is beneath the other cover, along with fried dumplings.” Then he quieted and scratched his cheek. “As for Captain Reyson, I cannot explain my feelings, but I do not like him. I think you are wrong to place your faith in him, and I pray we survive the journey, but I am not so hopeful as you.”
“There is toast in the basket.” Intent on changing the topic, she handed him a slice of warm bread. “And everything smells delicious.”
“I would have you promise me that you will remain in our cabin, during the voyage, as our father required when we sailed to Alicante.” Clinton met her stare. “I mean it, Rose. I believe we are in real danger, and I do not understand why you insist on hiring the first seaman with which you came into contact, especially in light of the conditions surrounding your initial acquaintance. Mark my words, Captain Reyson is a villain, and we are fools to cast off with him.”
“If that is true, then why did he help me retrieve my trunk?” Of course, she neglected to explain t
hat she had reservations, regarding the handsome sea captain, but his actions spoke much to his credit. “Why did he involve himself in my plight, when he had only to remain a bystander? It was not as if I solicited his assistance. Indeed, he came to my rescue, of his own free will, and I am grateful of it, as it is doubtful I would have succeeded, and all our money is in my baggage.”
“There is that, I suppose.” As he toyed with a morsel of fish, he averted his gaze. “But I believe there is more to his story, and I would protect you and our mother.”
“You need to commit your energies to your continued recovery.” Rose brushed a lock of brown hair from his forehead. “As you rightfully assert, you are now the man in this family, and you must make our father proud. When we return to Charles Town, people will look to you to lead, in our father’s stead. It is much to put on one so young, as you are but five and ten, but it is your responsibility, and I know you will not disappoint us.” She draped a napkin in her lap. “But it is as Captain Reyson said, when he escorted us to the inn, this town is not safe for us. Rather, it is a trade destination with little, if any, civilized pursuits to cater to our set, thus we must take what we can get, and what Captain Reyson offers is our only course of action. We must act, if we hope to see home, again.”
“Perhaps, if we had more time and money, I would protest.” Shaking his head, Clinton slumped his shoulders. “However, I am inclined to agree with your conclusion, with conditions. So, you will do as I ask and avoid Captain Reyson and his crew, at every chance. Unless absolutely necessary, I would have you confine your movements to our accommodation, and do not speak with Reyson, except when he initiates conversation. Even then, I would have you discourage him.”
“Clinton, you are being ridiculous.” And unreasonable, given she ached to know more about the intriguing mariner. “Inasmuch as Captain Tyler and Captain Donat extended invitations to dine with them, in their respective quarters, I gather Captain Reyson will do the same, and I see no reason to slight him. Regardless of your reservations, that is no excuse to insult him.”
“That was different.” He pounded a fist to a palm. “Captain Tyler is married and travels with his wife and children. He is an honest, respectable sea captain—a true credit to his profession. And Donat, for his questionable taste in cargo, holds a place in society. We know naught of Reyson, other than his preference for long coats and leather breeches. He strikes me as a freebooter.”
“That is quite enough.” She slammed down her fork, and the tableware rattled. “You accuse Captain Reyson without cause, given his behavior thus far. Perhaps he is not so polished as Tyler or Donat, but Captain Reyson came to my aid when he could have ignored me, and I choose to think the best of him, based on merit, which he more than earned when he faced an entire establishment of ruffians, on my behalf. While you may choose to see the worst in him, I consider naught but his qualities.”
Just then, Mama burst into the room, and she hummed a ditty, evidencing her improved mood. “Good morning, my darling children.”
“Good morning, Mama,” Rose and Clinton responded, in unison.
“How did you sleep?” In that instant, he poured another cup of the steaming brew, stood, and pulled out a chair. “Join us, as the food is quite excellent.”
“Oh, I should eat sparingly, as you know my weak constitution, when it comes to sailing.” Mama pressed a hand to her belly. “Daresay I may not survive another bout with the sickness, given your father is not here to nurse me back to health.” She sniffled. “Dear Augustus, how I miss him.”
“Come, Mama.” Rose flicked her fingers. “Take some tea and toast, which should settle easy on your stomach, and I will ask Captain Reyson for some rum, in the event you require the remedy.”
“No doubt he will avail himself of the opportunity, as he seems a vast deal more than interested in you.” Mama tittered, as she selected a fried dumpling, which Rose suspected her mother could not resist, despite her protestations. “That bodes well, given we know not if the Mortimer’s will consider you a viable candidate for their son, when they learn of your father’s death. You know, it was Augustus’s dream that you wed young Harold, but we must not be too quick to the altar, that we ignore a prospective suitor in our midst.”
“Mama, what are you suggesting?” Clinton’s mouth fell agape. “You cannot mean to imply that Rose should marry Captain Reyson.”
“I mean exactly that.” As Rose feared she might swoon, Mama snapped open her fan and smiled. “After all, while a sea captain is no gentleman, the man possesses his own ship, and that is something, given we are in trade. It could be a beautiful union.”
“Absolutely not.” Glowering, Clinton folded his arms. “I forbid it, and were Papa here, he would do the same.”
“Well, he is not here, and we are left to fend for ourselves.” Mama scrunched her nose. “Although Captain Reyson is not so handsome, in the traditional sense, such frivolities matter not, in times of desperation, and make no mistake, we are desperate.”
As Mama argued with Clinton, Rose stood and walked to the window, which overlooked the main thoroughfare through town. On the sidewalks below, an odd collective of characters traversed the street, and two strangers slept slumped against a building. In the distance, she admired the pristine blue sky, gazed in the direction of the docks, counted eleven sets of sails, and wondered which belonged to the Malevolent and her captivating captain.
Tall and strong, with long, dark brown hair, chiseled cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes, Turner Reyson did not present the professional mariner, as had Captains Tyler and Donat. Oh, no. He manifested something altogether mysterious and compelling.
While Rose harbored no preference for or aversion to marriage, she longed to see the world, and the trip to Spain did not appease her thirst for adventure. Although she mourned her father and her brother, she loved the extended travel and awaited the final journey home with equal parts of enthusiasm and regret, as she knew not if or when she would ever venture beyond the shores of Carolina, again.
The mantel clock chimed the hour, and she came alert.
“Please, do let us not begin our trip at odds.” To Clinton, Rose said, “I promise, I shall exercise caution, aboard ship.” To Mama, Rose stated, “Let us return to Charles Town, and then we might broach an agreement with Captain Reyson, as the voyage may tell us much about him.”
Read the rest of THE BLOOD REAVER by Barbara Devlin!
